April 14, 2016 - Day 27

Correction to the Standing Bear Hostel's host:  Curtis passed away last fall due to pancreatic cancer.  One of his relatives 'Lumpy' now runs things with Curtis' widow.  Ken said Lumpy is cut from the same cloth as Curtis and quite the character.  While there, Lumpy offered Ken some hootch (a/k/a white lightning).  Ken said Lumpy reminded him of Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty.

 

The one-and-only  'deluxe' cabin that Lumpy gave our group was a unique domicile and came complete with kitchen...

 

 

...and cat...

 

 

 



 

...but it sure beat sleeping in the bunk house with 20 young hikers.  Jill said they stopped in to talk with the other hikers and had to leave quickly due to the 'smoke' in the air!  It was that kind of laid back place.

 

Our group is missing Dennis.  One of his friends picked him up earlier today due to some pain he has been having with his heel.  He has a doctor appointment in the morning and is afraid he will have to drop out of the hike.  Jill and Ken are both praying he makes it back to the trail and is able to meet up with them at Hot Springs.

 

Ken and Jill hiked 14 miles and set up camp just past the Max Patch Summit.  They will have a long hike tomorrow to make it to Hot Springs by tomorrow night!

 

Mile 254

Elevation 4.629

Miles Hiked Today 14